Getting there…

What to do when you’re there…

The views across the Punch Bowl are spectacular, with a colourful mosaic of purple, greens and gold. Venture a bit further and discover the stunning scenery at Highcombe Edge and Gibbet Hill. Gibbet Hill is the second highest point in Surrey with views across the Weald. This is good walking country with many footpaths to explore. Walk through shady woods or across open heathland with grazing cattle and wild ponies.

Legend has it that the Devil scooped up a handful of earth and hurled it at Thor, God of Thunder. The depression that remained is the Devil’s Punch Bowl.

The area underwent a huge transformation in 2011 when the long-awaited Hindhead Tunnel was opened. This huge feat of engineering has seen the old road buried with around 92 per cent of the soil shifted to create the tunnel relaid on top of the old road, sown with heather and planted with 200,000 new trees and shrubs as part of a National Trust restoration project.

Fancy a walk…

There are lots of options for walks in this area we’d recommend….

Haslemere Hills & Heather, a 9 mile circular walk from Haslemere rail station, through the surrounding heathland and farmland and visiting Devil’s Punchbowl and Gibbet Hill along the way.

Hidden Hindhead is a delightful 3 mile walk which crosses the old A3, taking in some spectacular views – you may even see on a clear day the distant London skyline!

Round the Punch Bowl, a 4.5 mile walk which takes you along the rim of the Punch Bowl with spectacular views.

Someting to eat…

There is an excellent National Trust Cafe at the Devil’s Punch Bowl or bring a picnic and enjoy the view. Otherwise there are a few shops and cafe’s in Hindhead or you could catch the bus down into the market town of Haslemere where there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Like our illustration of the Devil’s Punchbowl? Why not buy it. We have 6 limited edtion prints for sale to celebrate 60 years of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From each sale a donation is made to our Surrey Hills Trust Fund to help protect the Surrey Hills into the future.